Minding Your Business

"As an HR representative, I learnt the invaluable lesson of how I should handle a situation, should it ever arise in the future, of an employee coming to me to advise me of a diagnosis related to mental health."

"I tend to be more solution focussed and not see it as such an obstacle. With the right management it is something that can be workable and not have a negative impact on the rest of the team."

"MYB in Partnership…… ……with Unum “Minding Your Business and Unum have been working together since 2013 to introduce MHFA to employers and deliver training that builds their confidence to respond to the needs of colleagues affected by mental ill health. Unum's business is providing benefits to people whose illness or injury stops them working. Like MYB, we believe work environments should allow employees to be productive and thrive in positive surroundings, which applies particularly to those of us with mental health problems. Unum's partnership with MYB is built on mutual trust and a common aim, which means I have had no hesitation in putting their trainers in touch with our customers at every opportunity. This has always enhanced our own client relationships and ensured a great outcome - the feedback on the training has never been less than glowing. I am proud to be associated with MHFA and I know we have in MYB the best possible delivery partner.” Andrew Potterton, Head of Proposition Development, Unum "

"I have been quicker to act and actively encourage people around me to either seek professional assistance or to make changes to the way they do things to foster better mental health. "

"This has been one of the most interesting and enjoyable training courses I have been on in years. In an ideal world, I’d put all management on the course!"

"One of the most interesting courses I have done."

"I think this should be made compulsory to all the management positions"

"Fantastic and useful course - looking forward to putting theory into practice!"

"The course had given me more confidence and I am sure it helped in my approach with the three people involved and they were able to reach a successful conclusion and written agreement about how to work with each other and communicate in the future."

"I have better been able to support my staff who are coming into more and more contact with older people with mental health issues e.g. a lady with paranoid schizophrenia who was having increasingly violent, psychotic episodes. "

"I line manage someone who has mental health issues and the course really opened my eyes to issues I was unaware of. The course gave me confidence to move forward and work more closely with this colleague. I really want to empower them and encourage them within their job role."

"MYB in Partnership…… ……with Thames Water CASE STUDY; Following attendance on our 2 day MHFA course in April 2014, Carol Moore, the Health & Safety Wellbeing Manager for Thames Water, asked MYB to be deliver their Building Personal Resilience training programme. This was being rolled out as mandatory for all non-management, operational staff – some 3,500 employees. HSE recommendations are that organisations offer such training as part of primary (preventative) methods of combatting stress in the workplace. By making the training mandatory, Thames Water has had to deal with many logistical challenges and organisational protestations. However, after a year; Quantitative Assessment after 1280 staff trained: • 99.7% of delegates rated trainer effectiveness as good or very good. • 98.2% felt their personal objectives had been met. • 97.8% felt the training was relevant to work. • 98.2% rated the extent to which they had gained additional knowledge or skills as good or very good. • 97.9% of delegates rated the extent that they would be able to use the knowledge and skills gained in their job role as either good or very good. “We engaged Minding Your Business in mid-2014 to assist in the delivery of a newly developed course on building personal resilience. This turned out to be an excellent decision as over 2000 employees have been through this course. The feedback from employees is always excellent and this is due to Jane’s ability to understand not only this vast subject but her audience too, in a very engaging and dynamic way. In one year the company has significantly reduced the incidence of absence due to work related stress and has seen an increase in presenteeism, which rather than being regarded as negative, is a demonstration that stress (regardless of whether this is work or home related) is recognised both by employees and managers which has resulted in active interventions being in place to support employees. This is as a direct result of the employee training programme being in place. Great support from Jane and the team and cannot recommend the work she does highly enough...” Carol Moore Safety, Health & Wellbeing Training Manager "

"I feel more confident in addressing the issues and feel that I have a better vocabulary with which to discuss problems as they arise."

"I would like my organisation to offer this training to all staff."

"I shared the ideas at our Area Team Leaders Meeting and this has helped with their awareness. I have been more aware of stress amongst staff and encouraged them to take holiday often enough so that they don’t burn out and have to take sick leave. "

"Better understanding of types mental illness, the approaches to take when supporting mental illness. Less afraid / apprehensive of dealing with those who are experiencing mental illness. I feel line managers and HR representatives would really benefit from attending this course "

"I now feel more confident to ask direct questions about their mental health. I encourage others to talk by confirming how common mental health problems are and that people do get better, with the right help."

"This training has revolutionized my thinking on mental health. I will absolutely be applying it not only to my immediate team but the wider company (and my personal life). Thank you!""

"One of my staff has on-going mental health issues. Though I no longer deal with her personally, I have been better able to see a way forward to help her team understand her position."